LETTER: Costly health insurance needs lawmakers' attention

Editor:

The cost of healthcare and healthcare insurance is getting out of control. Even the prices of simple procedures and basic prescriptions seem like they are going through the roof. While we all know that inflation is making everything more expensive, something has got to give.

I've been told there are lots of reasons for the rise in prices, but one of the themes that continually pops up is litigation. Researching the issue, it does seem that Florida is a sue-happy state, and some reports I have read say that about a third of doctors are sued before they reach their prime age of practice. Another article I read explained the significant costs of healthcare associated with defensive medicine. That is where a doctor orders many tests, some that may not even apply to certain health complaints just as a way of warding off a lawsuit.

I know there are other reasons for the cost of healthcare going up, but this seems like a big one. When the legislature comes back into session in a few weeks for their special work on the rising cost of property insurance, I hope they will include health insurance as one of the topics of discussion.

Sheila Waters Wilson

North Port